[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 120 (Thursday, September 12, 2013)] [House] [Page H5516] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ``NEW NORMAL'' II (Mr. MEEHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. MEEHAN. Madam Speaker, my colleagues and I have returned to Washington after spending time back in our districts with our constituents, and it's clear we've got our work cut out for us. Already we've been hearing personal stories--and I know I did--of folks in our districts who are having trouble making ends meet in this new normal under the Obama economy. And last week, we found things were only getting worse with unemployment. This rate has been too high for too long. Millions of our fellow Americans are unemployed, with an average of 8.5 months out of work. The simple truth is they deserve better. House Republicans have a solid plan to put Americans back to work and secure our future. To do that, we believe the solution lies in expanding our freedom and opportunity, not restricting it. ____________________